A retaining wall is a structure used to hold back earth or water. They can be used to reduce erosion by both reducing the transport of eroded material and blocking the direct wave energy.

Retaining walls can be supported by anchors, cantilevers, or gravity structures. The support of an anchored structure comes from anchors that have been embedded in the land at the backside of the wall or from structural piles placed on the side facing the water (UF, 2017).

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Cantilevering a structure means its support comes from penetrating the ground deep enough to prevent the wall from overturning (UF, 2017).

 

Gravity structures have a large, heavy base that prevents them from overturning since they do not penetrate the ground enough to remain upright (USACE, 1995). 

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Decision Matrices Results:

 

Dublin Hollow site: 3.32 / 5.0

 

Dam site: 3.42 / 5.0

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Pros:

1.  Easy to maintain

2. Long life span

3. Optimal wave protection